The Butterfly Project

Trigger Warning: Mentions of self-harm.  To read, click the read more button.

I'm sure most people who follow this blog know a self-harmer. If they don't know one, they've met one. And in most cases, you wouldn't even know that person was self-harming at all. I would give you a statistic on how many people have self-harmed, but there is no number. Statistics only show the amount of people who have been hospitalised for self-harm, and they don't even know if the intention was suicide. Self-harmers hide, usually rather well. If you don't know someone is hurting, how can you help them? 

Perhaps some of you have self-harmed in the past, or have ever considered doing so. Having never done so myself, I will admit to times where I wonder if it's worth it. The statistics may not be there, but most people have been affected in some way by self-harm - whether it be a family member, friend, or themselves.

There is, however, a way to help. For those who would like to stop self-harming, and for those trying to show their support, there has been the creation of a movement called The Butterfly Project. It really isn't that hard, and the rules are as follows:

1. When you feel like you want to cut, take a marker, pen or sharpies and draw a butterfly on your arm or hand.
2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.
3. You must let the butterfly fade naturally. NO scrubbing it off.
4. If you cute before the butterfly has faded, you've killed it. If you don't cut, it lives.
5. If you have more than one butterfly, cutting kills all of them.
6. Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.
7. Even if you don't cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyway, to show your support. If you do this, name it after someone you know that cuts or is suffering right now, and tell them. It could help.

It doesn't seem like too much, but it's a start. Do what you can to help others out. Just draw a butterfly.